May 07, 2013 11:42 PM CDTMay 07, 2013 11:42 PM CDTHeika: Stars GM Jim Nill faces dozens of daunting questions in coming weeks... but that's just what he signed up for

Heika: Stars GM Jim Nill faces dozens of daunting questions in coming weeks... but that's just what he signed up for

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David Woo/Staff Photographer

Stars owner Tom Gaglardi (left) and President and CEO Jim Lites (right) present Jim Nill, (center) with a team jersey during a news conference where Nill was introduced as the team's new general manager Monday, April 29, 2013, in Dallas at the American Airlines Center.

Other than finding a house,
watching the Texas Stars, deciding the future of some key employees and
pondering a draft strategy, Jim Nill’s week has been pretty quiet.

But hard work is what the new Stars general manager signed
up for.

“I definitely came in with eyes open, and I know how much
work is involved,” said Nill, who was hired last week to replace Joe
Nieuwendyk. “But I’m a competitive guy, and I love a good challenge, and that’s
how I’m looking at this. It’s more exciting than it is anything else.”

Nill left the Detroit Red Wings organization after 19
years, so he’s definitely a little out of his comfort zone right now, but he
said that’s a good thing. He’s also of the mind that it’s good for the Stars to
get outside of their comfort zone. That’s how growth occurs.

The new GM has already finished exit interviews with the
players and is in the process of talking to members of the coaching staff. Head
coach Glen Gulutzan has a team option on the third year of his contract and can
be let go.

“Well, I want to do things the right way, and I want to
follow the right schedule, so I’m not going to get ahead of myself,” Nill said.
“I’ll look at the positions I need to and make decisions that I need to make in
the order they need to be made. I’m a bit fortunate in that I don’t have to
make decisions too quickly. I do have time, so I’m going to take my time and do
this the right way.”

Nill deflected inquiries about specifics with the coaching
staff. For instance, assistant coach Curt Fraser was hired just last summer and
came from the Grand Rapids Griffins, the AHL affiliate of the Red Wings. Nill
hired Fraser in 2008 and served as his boss for four seasons, and the Red Wings
had to sign off on Fraser coming to Dallas
last summer, so it would seem he would be safe.

In addition, goalie coach Mike Valley
and Kari Lehtonen have a great relationship, so it would appear Valley would
return as well.

Still, Nill said all decisions will be made with patience.
In addition to spending time with office staff this week, Nill also will be
meeting with amateur scouts to prepare for the NHL entry draft June 30. The
Stars draft 10th overall in the first round and have 10 picks.

Nill, who ran the draft for the Red Wings as assistant
general manager, has known Stars assistant GM Les Jackson for years and said he
hopes to forge a strong drafting team with Jackson

“Les and I go way back and know each other well, and I’m
excited to work with him,” Nill said. “We look at things differently, and we
come from organizations that have done things differently, so I see that as a
good thing. We’re hopefully merging the intelligence of both organizations, and
we can get the best of both worlds.”

Nill said he is free to participate in all draft
activities and has no restrictions from his time with the Red Wings. He said
that’s one of the reasons the move was made so quickly at the end of the
season, so that he could get in and be a big part of the Stars’ draft.

Nill’s highest pick with the Red Wings was 19th overall,
so sitting with the 10th pick will be an exciting proposition, he said.

“After studying the organization and where we have our
players in the minors or juniors or Europe, I
think this draft offers the opportunity to set ourselves up for a long time
going forward,” Nill said. “If we can build on what’s already been built here
by having a great draft this year, I think we’ll be in good shape.”

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